DW BUREAU / Shimla

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday distributed land ownership certificates to 25 beneficiaries in Kalpa block of Kinnaur district. The certificates were distributed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which have been pending for many years.

He said that under the Act, land leases have already been allotted to 460 individuals across the state.

Addressing a gathering at Kalpa, he stated that, for the first time in 75 years, Shipki-la was being opened to tourists who can now visit Shipki-la simply by carrying an AADHAR card and token. This will give added boost to the local economy and promote tourism in border areas, thus creating employment opportunities for the youth.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects worth Rs. 48 crore in the Kinnaur Assembly Constituency. He foundation stone of the auditorium at DIET at Reckong-Peo to cost rupees eight crore, Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex at Kalpa to cost Rs. 29.88 crore, and the inauguration of youth hostel at Kalpa constructed at a cost of Rs. 10.60 crore.

Criticizing the previous government, he alleged that public funds were misused, which should have instead been spent on the welfare of the farmers, horticulturists, and the last man in the row. He added that large plots of land were handed over to big industrialists at throwaway prices and huge subsidies were given in electricity. The Una Bulk Drug Park project, for which Rs. 50 crore was allocated by the Centre, was returned, as the state government will now take up its work on its own to safeguard state interests, he stated.

He said that the BJP government received liberal grants of about Rs 68,000 crore from the Centre in form of GST compensation and revenue deficit grants but "instead of repaying the debts and clearing the liabilities, it utilised the funds on freebies". Additionally, about Rs 9,000 crore under the NPS were yet to be released. However, his government has saved Rs. 3000 crore by plugging corruption loopholes.

He said that despite losses worth Rs. 10,000 crore due to natural disasters, the Centre has not provided any financial aid. Still, the state government managed to release a special relief package of Rs. 4,500 crore from its own resources to assist those affected. The Chief Minister emphasized that his government is working with determination to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027. He also addressed the issue of the Vimal Negi case, accusing the opposition of playing politics over it. He assured that the government stands with the family of Vimal Negi and the guilty will be

brought to justice.

(editor@dailyworld.in)